Cookbook:Burrito

Every burrito is a flour tortilla filled with some filling. Generally, the filling includes meat such as pork, beef, or chicken, but also often includes beans and/or rice. Vegetarian burritos are also common.

If using dried beans, wash them and examine them for any rocks, then soak overnight in plenty of water. Discard the soak water before cooking - your pot plants will love it!

Cook the beans until soft:

If using a stove-top method, simmer them in lots of water until they are very soft. You'll need to cook the beans a very long time on very low heat. You may add salt or black pepper to the water. You may add onion halves or a ham bone, which you can remove at the end. Changing the water from time to time will reduce the risk of gas. Expect the cooking to take at least 3 hours, if not 6 or more.

If using a pressure cooker, place the beans and some flavoring (typically salt) in enough water to cover all the beans fully, and bring to pressure. Keep the pressure for about 20 minutes, turn off the heat, and let the pressure fall naturally (about 15 minutes).

Add uncooked meats to the pan and fry, stirring to ensure it browns all over. If using a ground (minced) meat, break it up as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.

Add any other well-cooked meat or beans. You might want to smash the beans, perhaps with a potato masher. When using beans alone, you might want to add up to 20% home-rendered lard (lard substitutions are obvious, but will lack flavor).

Add spices and other flavorings as necessary.

Add tomatoes, and cooked rice if using it. Reduce the heat. Simmer in open pan for about 40 minutes or until the liquid from the tomatoes is gone.

Soften the tortillas by heating them up. Use a small amount of oil to prevent sticking, if heating in a pan that isn't non-stick. Cover with aluminium foil if heating them in an oven, to protect the tortillas from moisture loss.

Position your tortilla flat on a suitable surface such as a kitchen counter top. (12-inch tortillas are suggested. If you can find bigger tortillas, use them!)

Place your fillings on the flat tortilla in any order.

Fold the bottom flap up. Ensure that there is a sufficient amount of tortilla used for the flap. A small flap will allow the fillings to escape, possibly falling in your lap and burning you.

Bring the side up and over your filling. Tucking the edge of the tortilla under your filling is an excellent extra step.

Create a small fold with the remaining side of the tortilla. This is the key to maintaining burrito integrity. Failure is a given if you do not follow this step! (The small, diagonal flap is an extra "lock" for the bottom flap of the tortilla… without it, the weight of the filling has the power to force the bottom flap right out of itself.)

Bring the remaining tortilla flap over the filling. Eat with confidence, though the fillings may be very hot.

A smothered ("wet") burrito is generally a Mission burrito with enchilada sauce, either "red" or "green", poured over it, with grated cheese topping it. it is meant to be eaten with a knife and fork, not held in the hand as other burritos can be.

Burritos, tacos, egg rolls, tamales, and vegetable wraps have similar construction. The fillings and shells can be interchanged as desired.